Patent Application
20230420410
The present disclosure relates to techniques, methods, and apparatus directed to a package architecture with vertically stacked bridge dies having planarized edges.
Electronic circuits when commonly fabricated on a wafer of semiconductor material, such as silicon, are called integrated circuits (ICs). The wafer with such ICs is typically cut into numerous individual dies. The dies may be packaged into an IC package containing one or more dies along with other electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The IC package may be integrated onto an electronic system, such as a consumer electronic system, or servers, such as mainframes.
Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
Overview
For purposes of illustrating IC packages described herein, it is important to understand phenomena that may come into play during assembly and packaging of ICs. The following foundational information may be viewed as a basis from which the present disclosure may be properly explained. Such information is offered for purposes of explanation only and, accordingly, should not be construed in any way to limit the broad scope of the present disclosure and its potential applications.
The trend in the computer industry is to utilize multiple processors in large servers, the multiple processors being coupled together in a single package, such as a Multi-Chip Module (MCM). The multiple processors along with other IC dies containing memory circuits (e.g., cache memory circuits, high-bandwidth memory circuits, etc.) are interconnected by high-speed data buses in the package substrate of the MCM, for example, to enable the totality of processors to operate together. However, current technology in such MCMs is inherently limited in its ability to scale to the bandwidth/distance requirements of next generation servers that could have signal speeds greater than 10 GHz and/or data speeds of 3-10 Terabytes per second. The limitations are primarily associated with bandwidth reduction, signal delay, signal loss, and signal distortion due to various reasons, one of which is the configuration in which the multiple processors are coupled together inside the package.
Current packaging architecture, whether 2D, 2.5D or 3D, utilizes multiple IC dies that are oriented parallel to each other and interconnected by various kinds of interconnects, such as copper microbumps, solder balls, etc. In a general sense, any typical IC die consists of a substrate, an active region in the substrate comprising transistors and other active circuitry, and a metallization stack over the substrate, sharing a contact area with the active region. The metallization stack is the region of the IC die in which the individual devices (e.g., transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc.) are interconnected with conductive traces and conductive vias. Common metals used for the conductive traces and conductive vias are copper and aluminum. The metallization stack typically includes contact pads, insulating layers (e.g., interlayer dielectric (ILD) materials such as silicon oxide), conductive layers comprising the conductive traces, and bonding sites for chip-to-chip or chip-to-package connections. Modern IC dies may include more than 10 conductive layers in the metallization stack.
Conventionally, various such IC dies may be stacked within a package in various ways: (1) back-to-back, in which the substrate of one IC die is in direct contact with the substrate of another IC die; (2) back-to-front, in which the substrate of one IC die is in direct contact with the metallization stack of the other IC die; and (3) front-to-front, in which the metallization stacks of the two IC dies are in direct contact. In all these configurations, the IC dies are mutually parallel to each other, with the active circuitry disposed in planes parallel to the contacting areas of adjacent IC dies. Such architecture suffers from certain inherent limitations. For example, compute IC dies comprising high-performance compute circuitry that generates a lot of heat have to be placed on the top of any such stack so that heat can be dissipated properly. Such placement limits the number of high-power compute IC dies that can be placed in a package having a limited (or constrained) footprint.
Accordingly, embodiments of a microelectronic assembly disclosed herein comprise a first IC die coupled to a second IC die by interconnects on a first surface of the first IC die and a second surface of the second IC die such that the first surface is in contact with the second surface, and the first IC die comprises a substrate attached to a metallization stack along a planar interface that is orthogonal to the first surface. The interconnects comprise oxide-oxide bonds and metal-metal bonds, the metal-metal bonds including first bond-pads in the first IC die and second bond-pads in the second IC die. The metallization stack of the first IC die comprises a plurality of layers of conductive traces in a dielectric material, and the first bond-pads comprise portions of the conductive traces exposed on the first surface.
Embodiments described herein disclose an IC die comprising: a first region having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being orthogonal to the second surface; and a second region attached to the first region along a planar interface that is orthogonal to the first surface and parallel to the second surface, the second region having a third surface coplanar with the first surface. The first region comprises: a dielectric material; layers of conductive traces in the dielectric material, each layer of the conductive traces being parallel to the second surface such that the conductive traces are orthogonal to the first surface; conductive vias through the dielectric material; and bond-pads on the first surface, the bond-pads comprising portions of the conductive traces exposed on the first surface, and the second region comprises a material different from the dielectric material.
Each of the structures, assemblies, packages, methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure may have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for all the desirable attributes disclosed herein. Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the description below and the accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description, various aspects of the illustrative implementations may be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.
The terms “circuit” and “circuitry” mean one or more passive and/or active electrical and/or electronic components that are arranged to cooperate with one another to provide a desired function. The terms also refer to analog circuitry, digital circuitry, hard wired circuitry, programmable circuitry, microcontroller circuitry and/or any other type of physical hardware electrical and/or electronic component.
The term “integrated circuit” means a circuit that is integrated into a monolithic semiconductor or analogous material.
In some embodiments, the IC dies disclosed herein may comprise substantially monocrystalline semiconductors, such as silicon or germanium, as a base material (e.g., substrate, body) on which integrated circuits are fabricated with traditional semiconductor processing methods. The semiconductor base material may include, for example, N-type pr P-type materials. Dies may include, for example, a crystalline base material formed using a bulk silicon (or other bulk semiconductor material) or a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure. In some other embodiments, the base material of one or more of the IC dies may comprise alternate materials, which may or may not be combined with silicon, that include but are not limited to germanium, indium antimonide, lead telluride, indium arsenide, indium phosphide, gallium arsenide, indium gallium arsenide, gallium antimonide, or other combinations of group III-N, group III-V, group II-VI, or group IV materials. In yet other embodiments, the base material may comprise compound semiconductors, for example, with a first sub-lattice of at least one element from group III of the periodic table (e.g., Al, Ga, In), and a second sub-lattice of at least one element of group V of the periodic table (e.g., P, As, Sb). In yet other embodiments, the base material may comprise an intrinsic IV or III-V semiconductor material or alloy, not intentionally doped with any electrically active impurity; in alternate embodiments, nominal impurity dopant levels may be present. In still other embodiments, dies may comprise a non-crystalline material, such as polymers; for example, the base material may comprise silica-filled epoxy. In other embodiments, the base material may comprise high mobility oxide semiconductor material, such as tin oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, indium zinc oxide, indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), gallium oxide, titanium oxynitride, ruthenium oxide, or tungsten oxide. In general, the base material may include one or more of tin oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, antimony oxide, ruthenium oxide, tungsten oxide, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxynitride, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, nickel oxide, niobium oxide, copper peroxide, IGZO, indium telluride, molybdenite, molybdenum diselenide, tungsten diselenide, tungsten disulfide, N- or P-type amorphous or polycrystalline silicon, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, silicon germanium, gallium nitride, aluminum gallium nitride, indium phosphide, and black phosphorus, each of which may possibly be doped with one or more of gallium, indium, aluminum, fluorine, boron, phosphorus, arsenic, nitrogen, tantalum, tungsten, and magnesium, etc. Although a few examples of the material for dies are described here, any material or structure that may serve as a foundation (e.g., base material) upon which IC circuits and structures as described herein may be built falls within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Unless described otherwise, IC dies described herein include one or more IC structures (or, simply, “ICs”) implementing (i.e., configured to perform) certain functionality. In one such example, the term “memory die” may be used to describe a die that includes one or more ICs implementing memory circuitry (e.g., ICs implementing one or more of memory devices, memory arrays, control logic configured to control the memory devices and arrays, etc.). In another such example, the term “compute die” may be used to describe a die that includes one or more ICs implementing logic/compute circuitry (e.g., ICs implementing one or more of I/O functions, arithmetic operations, pipelining of data, etc.).
In another example, the terms “package” and “IC package” are synonymous, as are the terms “die” and “IC die.” Note that the terms “chip,” “die,” and “IC die” are used interchangeably herein.
The term “insulating” means “electrically insulating,” the term “conducting” means “electrically conducting,” unless otherwise specified. With reference to optical signals and/or devices, components and elements that operate on or using optical signals, the term “conducting” can also mean “optically conducting.”
The terms “oxide,” “carbide,” “nitride,” etc. refer to compounds containing, respectively, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, etc.
The term “high-k dielectric” refers to a material having a higher dielectric constant than silicon oxide, while the term “low-k dielectric” refers to a material having a lower dielectric constant than silicon oxide.
The term “insulating material” or “insulator” (also called herein as “dielectric material” or “dielectric”) refers to solid materials (and/or liquid materials that solidify after processing as described herein) that are substantially electrically nonconducting. They may include, as examples and not as limitations, organic polymers and plastics, and inorganic materials such as ionic crystals, porcelain, glass, silicon, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, silicon carbonitride, silicon nitride, and alumina or a combination thereof. They may include dielectric materials, high polarizability materials, and/or piezoelectric materials. They may be transparent or opaque without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further examples of insulating materials are underfills and molds or mold-like materials used in packaging applications, including for example, materials used in organic interposers, package supports and other such components.
In various embodiments, elements associated with an IC may include, for example, transistors, diodes, power sources, resistors, capacitors, inductors, sensors, transceivers, receivers, antennas, etc. In various embodiments, elements associated with an IC may include those that are monolithically integrated within an IC, mounted on an IC, or those connected to an IC. The ICs described herein may be either analog or digital and may be used in a number of applications, such as microprocessors, optoelectronics, logic blocks, audio amplifiers, etc., depending on the components associated with the IC. The ICs described herein may be employed in a single IC die or as part of a chipset for executing one or more related functions in a computer.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, transistors described herein may be field-effect transistors (FETs), e.g., MOSFETs. In many embodiments, an FET is a four-terminal device. In silicon-on-insulator, or nanoribbon, or gate all-around (GAA) FET, the FET is a three-terminal device that includes source, drain, and gate terminals and uses electric field to control current flowing through the device. A FET typically includes a channel material, a source region and a drain regions provided in and/or over the channel material, and a gate stack that includes a gate electrode material, alternatively referred to as a “work function” material, provided over a portion of the channel material (the “channel portion”) between the source and the drain regions, and optionally, also includes a gate dielectric material between the gate electrode material and the channel material.
In a general sense, an “interconnect” refers to any element that provides a physical connection between two other elements. For example, an electrical interconnect provides electrical connectivity between two electrical components, facilitating communication of electrical signals between them; an optical interconnect provides optical connectivity between two optical components, facilitating communication of optical signals between them. As used herein, both electrical interconnects and optical interconnects are comprised in the term “interconnect.” The nature of the interconnect being described is to be understood herein with reference to the signal medium associated therewith. Thus, when used with reference to an electronic device, such as an IC that operates using electrical signals, the term “interconnect” describes any element formed of an electrically conductive material for providing electrical connectivity to one or more elements associated with the IC or/and between various such elements. In such cases, the term “interconnect” may refer to both conductive traces (also sometimes referred to as “lines,” “wires,” “metal lines” or “trenches”) and conductive vias (also sometimes referred to as “vias” or “metal vias”). Sometimes, electrically conductive traces and vias may be referred to as “conductive traces” and “conductive vias”, respectively, to highlight the fact that these elements include electrically conductive materials such as metals. Likewise, when used with reference to a device that operates on optical signals as well, such as a photonic IC (PIC), “interconnect” may also describe any element formed of a material that is optically conductive for providing optical connectivity to one or more elements associated with the PCI. In such cases, the term “interconnect” may refer to optical waveguides, including optical fiber, optical splitters, optical combiners, optical couplers, and optical vias.
The term “waveguide” refers to any structure that acts to guide the propagation of light from one location to another location typically through a substrate material such as silicon or glass. In various examples, waveguides can be formed from silicon, doped silicon, silicon nitride, glasses such as silica (e.g., silicon dioxide or SiO2), borosilicate (e.g., 70-80 wt % SiO2, 7-13 wt % of B2O3, 4-8 wt % Na2O or K2O, and 2-8 wt % of Al2O3) and so forth. Waveguides may be formed using various techniques including but not limited to forming waveguides in situ. For example, in some embodiments, waveguides may be formed in situ in glass using low temperature glass-to-glass bonding or by laser direct writing. Waveguides formed in situ may have lower loss characteristics.
The term “conductive trace” may be used to describe an electrically conductive element isolated by an insulating material. Within IC dies, such insulating material comprises interlayer low-k dielectric that is provided within the IC die. Within package substrates, and printed circuit boards (PCBs) such insulating material comprises organic materials such as Ajinomoto Buildup Film (ABF), polyimides, or epoxy resin. Such conductive lines are typically arranged in several levels, or several layers, of metallization stacks.
The term “conductive via” may be used to describe an electrically conductive element that interconnects two or more conductive lines of different levels of a metallization stack. To that end, a via may be provided substantially perpendicularly to the plane of an IC die/chip or a support structure over which an IC structure is provided and may interconnect two conductive lines in adjacent levels or two conductive lines in non-adjacent levels.
The term “package substrate” may be used to describe any substrate material that facilitates the packaging together of any collection of semiconductor dies and/or other electrical components such as passive electrical components. As used herein, a package substrate may be formed of any material including, but not limited to, insulating materials such as resin impregnated glass fibers (e.g., PCB or Printed Wiring Boards (PWB)), glass, ceramic, silicon, silicon carbide, etc. In addition, as used herein, a package substrate may refer to a substrate that includes buildup layers (e.g., ABF layers).
The term “metallization stack” may be used to refer to a stack of one or more interconnects for providing connectivity to different circuit components of an IC die/chip and/or a package substrate.
As used herein, the term “pitch” of interconnects refers to a center-to-center distance between adjacent interconnects.
In context of a stack of dies coupled to one another or in context of a die coupled to a package substate, the term “interconnect” may also refer to, respectively, die-to-die (DTD) interconnects and die-to-package substrate (DTPS) interconnects. DTD interconnects may also be referred to as first-level interconnects (FLI). DTPS interconnects may also be referred to as Second-Level Interconnects (SLI).
Although not specifically shown in all of the present illustrations in order to not clutter the drawings, when DTD or DTPS interconnects are described, a surface of a first die may include a first set of conductive contacts, and a surface of a second die or a package substrate may include a second set of conductive contacts. One or more conductive contacts of the first set may then be electrically and mechanically coupled to some of the conductive contacts of the second set by the DTD or DTPS interconnects.
In some embodiments, the pitch of the DTD interconnects may be different from the pitch of the DTPS interconnects, although, in other embodiments, these pitches may be substantially the same.
The DTPS interconnects disclosed herein may take any suitable form. In some embodiments, a set of DTPS interconnects may include solder (e.g., solder bumps or balls that are subject to a thermal reflow to form the DTPS interconnects). DTPS interconnects that include solder may include any appropriate solder material, such as lead/tin, tin/bismuth, eutectic tin/silver, ternary tin/silver/copper, eutectic tin/copper, tin/nickel/copper, tin/bismuth/copper, tin/indium/copper, tin/zinc/indium/bismuth, or other alloys. In some embodiments, a set of DTPS interconnects may include an anisotropic conductive material, such as an anisotropic conductive film or an anisotropic conductive paste. An anisotropic conductive material may include conductive materials dispersed in a non-conductive material. In some embodiments, an anisotropic conductive material may include microscopic conductive particles embedded in a binder or a thermoset adhesive film (e.g., a thermoset biphenyl-type epoxy resin, or an acrylic-based material). In some embodiments, the conductive particles may include a polymer and/or one or more metals (e.g., nickel or gold). For example, the conductive particles may include nickel-coated gold or silver-coated copper that is in turn coated with a polymer. In another example, the conductive particles may include nickel. When an anisotropic conductive material is uncompressed, there may be no conductive pathway from one side of the material to the other. However, when the anisotropic conductive material is adequately compressed (e.g., by conductive contacts on either side of the anisotropic conductive material), the conductive materials near the region of compression may contact each other so as to form a conductive pathway from one side of the film to the other in the region of compression.
The DTD interconnects disclosed herein may take any suitable form. In some embodiments, some or all of the DTD interconnects in a microelectronic assembly or an IC package as described herein may be metal-to-metal interconnects (e.g., copper-to-copper interconnects, or plated interconnects). In such embodiments, the conductive contacts on either side of the DTD interconnect may be bonded together (e.g., under elevated pressure and/or temperature) without the use of intervening solder or an anisotropic conductive material. In some metal-to-metal interconnects, a dielectric material (e.g., silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide) may be present between the metals bonded together (e.g., between copper pads or posts that provide the associated conductive contacts). In some embodiments, one side of a DTD interconnect may include a metal pillar (e.g., a copper pillar), and the other side of the DTD interconnect may include a metal contact (e.g., a copper contact) recessed in a dielectric. In some embodiments, a metal-to-metal interconnect (e.g., a copper-to-copper interconnect) may include a noble metal (e.g., gold) or a metal whose oxides are conductive (e.g., silver). In some embodiments, a metal-to-metal interconnect may include metal nanostructures (e.g., nanorods) that may have a reduced melting point. Metal-to-metal interconnects may be capable of reliably conducting a higher current than other types of interconnects; for example, some solder interconnects may form brittle intermetallic compounds when current flows, and the maximum current provided through such interconnects may be constrained to mitigate mechanical failure.
In some embodiments, the dies on either side of a set of DTD interconnects may be bare (e.g., unpackaged) dies.
In some embodiments, the DTD interconnects may include solder. For example, the DTD interconnects may include conductive bumps or pillars (e.g., copper bumps or pillars) attached to the respective conductive contacts by solder. In some embodiments, a thin cap of solder may be used in a metal-to-metal interconnect to accommodate planarity, and this solder may become an intermetallic compound during processing. In some embodiments, the solder used in some or all of the DTD interconnects may have a higher melting point than the solder included in some or all of the DTPS interconnects. For example, when the DTD interconnects in an IC package are formed before the DTPS interconnects are formed, solder-based DTD interconnects may use a higher-temperature solder (e.g., with a melting point above 200 degrees Celsius), while the DTPS interconnects may use a lower-temperature solder (e.g., with a melting point below 200 degrees Celsius). In some embodiments, a higher-temperature solder may include tin; tin and gold; or tin, silver, and copper (e.g., 96.5% tin, 3% silver, and 0.5% copper). In some embodiments, a lower-temperature solder may include tin and bismuth (e.g., eutectic tin bismuth), tin, silver, bismuth, indium, indium and tin, or gallium.
In some embodiments, a set of DTD interconnects may include an anisotropic conductive material, such as any of the materials discussed above for the DTPS interconnects. In some embodiments, the DTD interconnects may be used as data transfer lanes, while the DTPS interconnects may be used for power and ground lines, among others.
In microelectronic assemblies or IC packages as described herein, some or all of the DTD interconnects may have a finer pitch than the DTPS interconnects. In some embodiments, the DTPS interconnects disclosed herein may have a pitch between about 80 microns and 300 microns, while the DTD interconnects disclosed herein may have a pitch between about 0.5 microns and 100 microns, depending on the type of the DTD interconnects. An example of silicon-level interconnect density is provided by the density of some DTD interconnects. In some embodiments, the DTD interconnects may have too fine a pitch to couple to the package substrate directly (e.g., too fine to serve as DTPS interconnects). The DTD interconnects may have a smaller pitch than the DTPS interconnects due to the greater similarity of materials in the different dies on either side of a set of DTD interconnects than between a die and a package substrate on either side of a set of DTPS interconnects. In particular, the differences in the material composition of dies and package substrates may result in differential expansion and contraction of the die dies and package substrates due to heat generated during operation (as well as the heat applied during various manufacturing operations). To mitigate damage caused by this differential expansion and contraction (e.g., cracking, solder bridging, etc.), the DTPS interconnects in any of the microelectronic assemblies or IC packages as described herein may be formed larger and farther apart than DTD interconnects, which may experience less thermal stress due to the greater material similarity of the pair of dies on either side of the DTD interconnects.
It will be recognized that one more levels of underfill (e.g., organic polymer material such as benzotriazole, imidazole, polyimide, or epoxy) may be provided in an IC package described herein and may not be labeled in order to avoid cluttering the drawings. In various embodiments, the levels of underfill may comprise the same or different insulating materials. In some embodiments, the levels of underfill may comprise thermoset epoxies with silicon oxide particles; in some embodiments, the levels of underfill may comprise any suitable material that can perform underfill functions such as supporting the dies and reducing thermal stress on interconnects. In some embodiments, the choice of underfill material may be based on design considerations, such as form factor, size, stress, operating conditions, etc.; in other embodiments, the choice of underfill material may be based on material properties and processing conditions, such as cure temperature, glass transition temperature, viscosity and chemical resistance, among other factors; in some embodiments, the choice of underfill material may be based on both design and processing considerations.
In some embodiments, one or more levels of solder resist (e.g., epoxy liquid, liquid photoimageable polymers, dry film photoimageable polymers, acrylics, solvents) may be provided in an IC package described herein and may not be labeled or shown to avoid cluttering the drawings. Solder resist may be a liquid or dry film material including photoimageable polymers. In some embodiments, solder resist may be non-photoimageable.
The terms “substantially,” “close,” “approximately,” “near,” and “about,” generally refer to being within +/−20% of a target value (e.g., within +/−5% or 10% of a target value) based on the context of a particular value as described herein or as known in the art.
Terms indicating orientation of various elements, e.g., “coplanar,” “perpendicular,” “orthogonal,” “parallel,” or any other angle between the elements, generally refer to being within +/−5%-20% of a target value based on the context of a particular value as described herein or as known in the art.
The term “connected” means a direct connection (which may be one or more of a mechanical, electrical, and/or thermal connection) between the things that are connected, without any intermediary devices, while the term “coupled” means either a direct connection between the things that are connected, or an indirect connection through one or more passive or active intermediary devices.
The description uses the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.
Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.
The disclosure may use perspective-based descriptions such as “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” and “side”; such descriptions are used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.
The terms “over,” “under,” “between,” and “on” as used herein refer to a relative position of one material layer or component with respect to other layers or components. For example, one layer disposed over or under another layer may be directly in contact with the other layer or may have one or more intervening layers. Moreover, one layer disposed between two layers may be directly in contact with one or both of the two layers or may have one or more intervening layers. In contrast, a first layer described to be “on” a second layer refers to a layer that is in direct contact with that second layer. Similarly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, one feature disposed between two features may be in direct contact with the adjacent features or may have one or more intervening layers.
The term “dispose” as used herein refers to position, location, placement, and/or arrangement rather than to any particular method of formation.
The term “between,” when used with reference to measurement ranges, is inclusive of the ends of the measurement ranges.
For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C). When used herein, the notation “A/B/C” means (A), (B), and/or (C).
Although certain elements may be referred to in the singular herein, such elements may include multiple sub-elements. For example,“an electrically conductive material” may include one or more electrically conductive materials. In another example, “a dielectric material” may include one or more dielectric materials.
Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
In the drawings, same reference numerals refer to the same or analogous elements/materials shown so that, unless stated otherwise, explanations of an element/material with a given reference numeral provided in context of one of the drawings are applicable to other drawings where element/materials with the same reference numerals may be illustrated. Further, the singular and plural forms of the labels may be used with reference numerals to denote a single one and multiple ones respectively of the same or analogous type, species, or class of element.
Furthermore, in the drawings, some schematic illustrations of example structures of various devices and assemblies described herein may be shown with precise right angles and straight lines, but it is to be understood that such schematic illustrations may not reflect real-life process limitations which may cause the features to not look so “ideal” when any of the structures described herein are examined using, e.g., images of suitable characterization tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images, or non-contact profilometer. In such images of real structures, possible processing and/or surface defects could also be visible, e.g., surface roughness, curvature or profile deviation, pit or scratches, not-perfectly straight edges of materials, tapered vias or other openings, inadvertent rounding of corners or variations in thicknesses of different material layers, occasional screw, edge, or combination dislocations within the crystalline region(s), and/or occasional dislocation defects of single atoms or clusters of atoms. There may be other defects not listed here but that are common within the field of device fabrication and/or packaging.
Note that in the figures, various components (e.g., interconnects) are shown as aligned (e.g., at respective interfaces) merely for ease of illustration; in actuality, some or all of them may be misaligned. In addition, there may be other components, such as bond-pads, landing pads, metallization, etc. present in the assembly that are not shown in the figures to prevent cluttering. Further, the figures are intended to show relative arrangements of the components within their assemblies, and, in general, such assemblies may include other components that are not illustrated (e.g., various interfacial layers or various other components related to optical functionality, electrical connectivity, or thermal mitigation). For example, in some further embodiments, the assembly as shown in the figures may include more dies along with other electrical components. Additionally, although some components of the assemblies are illustrated in the figures as being planar rectangles or formed of rectangular solids, this is simply for ease of illustration, and embodiments of these assemblies may be curved, rounded, or otherwise irregularly shaped as dictated by and sometimes inevitable due to the manufacturing processes used to fabricate various components.
In the drawings, a particular number and arrangement of structures and components are presented for illustrative purposes and any desired number or arrangement of such structures and components may be present in various embodiments.
Further, unless otherwise specified, the structures shown in the figures may take any suitable form or shape according to material properties, fabrication processes, and operating conditions.
For convenience, if a collection of drawings designated with different letters are present (e.g.,
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order from the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed, and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.
Example Embodiments
Metallization stack 102 may be attached along a planar interface 108 to a substrate 110 having an active region 112. Planar interface 108 may be orthogonal to surface 104 and parallel to surface 106. In some embodiments, active region 112 including transistors, diodes, and other active circuitry may be proximate to planar interface 108. In some other embodiments, active region 112 may be absent, or alternatively, transistors, diodes, and other active circuitry may be absent in active region 112. Substrate 110 may have yet another surface 114 coplanar with surface 104. In some embodiments, substrate 110 comprises a semiconductor material as listed in the previous subsection. In other embodiments, substrate 110 may comprise glass, ceramic, or other materials that may be suitable for creating functional elements of an IC.
In various embodiments, metallization stack 102 comprises a dielectric material 116, a plurality of layers 118 of conductive traces 120 in dielectric material 116, each layer 118 of conductive traces 120 being parallel to surface 106 such that conductive traces 120 are orthogonal to surface 104. In some embodiments, dielectric material 116 may comprise silicon oxide; in other embodiments, dielectric material 116 may comprise any suitable dielectric material used as ILD in a typical semiconductor IC die and as described in the previous subsection. Conductive traces 120 may comprise copper in many embodiments. In some embodiments, there may be between 2 and 6 layers of conductive traces 120 in plurality of layers 118. In various embodiments, thickness of each layer 118 may vary between 3 micrometers and 5 micrometers. Conductive vias 122 through dielectric material 116 may conductively connect conductive traces 120 in various layers 118 and to active circuitry in active region 112. Conductive vias 122 are orthogonal to conductive traces 120. Conductive traces 120 may extend up to surface 104 such that portions of conductive traces 120 are exposed on surface 104; such exposed portions may form bond-pads 124. In various embodiments, there may be several layers 118 of conductive traces 120 between planar interface 108 and surface 106, among which 2 to 6 layers closest to surface 106 may have conductive traces 120 that are exposed on surface 104 as bond-pads 124.
In various embodiments, IC die 100 may be less than 100 micrometers along a first axis through the thickness of IC die 100, less than 35 millimeters along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, for example, along a length of IC die 100, and less than 5 millimeters along a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, for example, along a width of IC die 100. In other words, in various embodiments, IC die 100 may be approximately 5 times longer than it is wide.
In various embodiments, IC die 302 may comprise an interposer with conductive traces to enable conductive coupling of IC die 100 with other IC dies and/or package substrates, and IC die 302 may not have any active circuitry therein. In other embodiments, IC die 302 may comprise active circuitry. In many embodiments, IC dies 100 may be conductively coupled by conductive pathways in IC die 302. For example, IC die 302 may comprise a network on chip, interconnecting compute circuitry of IC dies 100 together. In various embodiments, IC die 100 may be conductively coupled to IC die 302 by interconnects 304, which may comprise hybrid bonds. In such configuration, surface 114 of substrate 110 of IC dies 100 may be in direct contact with surface 306 of IC die 302.
Turning back to
In various embodiments, IC dies 100 may be arranged in mutually parallel rows such that a gap 312 exists between adjacent IC dies 100. Gap 312 may be uniform across microelectronic assembly 300 in some embodiments and may range approximately in the order of a few millimeters (e.g., less than 5 millimeters); in other embodiments, gap 312 may be non-uniform, with some IC dies 100 being closer to other than other IC dies 100. In some such embodiments, IC dies 100 may comprise circuitry that consumes electrical power and generate heat during operation. For example, IC dies 100 may comprise compute circuitry of a microprocessor. Gap 312 may be configured for flow of a cooling fluid therethrough. The cooling fluid (not shown) may be air in some embodiments; in other embodiments, the cooling fluid may be a liquid coolant.
In some embodiments (as shown), metallization stack 102 of any one of IC dies 100 in any one row (or column) of array 502 is proximate to substrate 110 of an adjacent one of IC dies 100 in the same row (or column). In some other embodiments (not shown), metallization stacks 102 or substrates 110 of adjacent IC dies 100 in any one row (or column) of array 502 face each other. In yet other embodiments (not shown), in some rows (or columns), metallization stack 102 of any one of IC dies 100 in any one row (or column) of array 502 may be proximate to substrate 110 of an adjacent one of IC dies 100 in the same row (or column), and in other rows (or columns), metallization stacks 102 or substrates 110 of adjacent IC dies 100 in any one row (or column) may face each other.
In some embodiments, IC dies 100 may comprise compute circuitry, and IC die 302 may comprise a network on chip circuitry, conductively coupling the array of IC dies 100. In some other embodiments, some IC dies 100 may comprise graphics processing circuitry and other IC dies may comprise computer circuitry and IC die 302 may comprise memory circuitry. Any suitable configuration of circuitry may be provided in microelectronic assembly 3100 among IC dies 100 and IC die 302 as desired and based on particular needs.
In some embodiments (as shown), metallization stack 102 of any one IC die 100 may be proximate to substrate 110 of an adjacent IC die 100. In other embodiments, metallization stacks 102 of adjacent IC dies 100 may be proximate to each other and substrates 110 of other adjacent IC dies 100 may be proximate to each other. Note that the figure is not drawn to scale, and IC dies 100 may be much smaller (e.g., narrower, shorter) than IC die 302 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a contact area between any one IC die 100 and IC dies 302 may be less than 100 micrometers by 33 millimeters. In some other embodiments, a contact area between any one IC die 100 and IC dies 302 may be less than 100 micrometers by 26 millimeters.
In various embodiments, IC dies 100 may be arranged in array 502 and spaced apart from each other by gap 312. The size of gap 312 may be driven by thermal considerations in some embodiments, for example, to permit a cooling fluid to flow therethrough; in other embodiments, the size of gap 312 may be driven by electrical connectivity considerations, for example, to pack more connections within a specific area, etc.
One or more IC dies 100 may extend into IC die 302 from an edge 504 of IC die 302 by a distance 506. Distance 506 may be longer than a width of a saw-street 508 in some embodiments, enabling conductive coupling of circuitry in medial regions of IC dies 302(1) and 302(2). As used herein, the term “saw-street” refers to a non-functional spacing between a functional part of IC die 302 (e.g., comprising active circuitry) and edge 504 of IC die 302. Saw-street 508 provides a space where a dicing saw can safely cut a wafer comprising IC die 302 without damaging the functional part of IC die 302. In many embodiments, saw-street 508 may be approximately 100 micrometers.
In some embodiments in which bond-pads 124 on surface 104 of IC dies 100 in contact with surface 306 of IC dies 302 are provided on five layers 118 of conductive traces 120, and distance 506 is approximately 5 millimeters, approximately 25000 conductive pathways may be provided between any two IC dies 302 through a single one of IC die 100. In the previous example where eight IC dies 100 are provided between two reticle-sized IC dies 302 (e.g., of size 26 millimeters by 33 millimeters), approximately 200,000 conductive pathways may be enabled between IC dies 302(1) and 302(2), which is around 2 times of what is possible with current reticle stitching techniques. Thus, such conductive coupling may offer many more pathways for connectivity than offered by conventional configurations in which input/output ports, points, interfaces, regions, etc. are along the periphery of respective IC dies 302. Moreover, in embodiments in which interconnections between IC dies 302 and IC dies 100 comprise hybrid bonds (e.g., metal-metal bonds and dielectric-dielectric bonds) with pitch less than 10 micrometers between adjacent interconnects, such conductive coupling may enable a greater number of conductive pathways than is possible with conventional reticle stitching configurations using intra-metallization stitching within a single wafer. In addition, compared to such conventional reticle stitching configurations, the embodiments as described herein provide the additional advantage of using known good dies (KGDs) as IC dies 302 and IC dies 100.
In some embodiments, a gap-fill material 510 may be provided between adjacent IC dies 302. Gap-fill material 510 may comprise any insulating and/or dielectric material. For example, gap-fill material 510 may comprise an inorganic dielectric material, such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride (or other such materials used in conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes) in some embodiments. In other embodiments, gap-fill material 510 may comprise an organic polymer. The choice of material for gap-fill material 510 may be driven by surface planarization factors, TTV requirements, and other such manufacturing constraints when coupling IC dies 100 to separate IC dies 302.
Such embodiments may differ from conventional bridge die technologies not only in the vertical (e.g., edge connected) placement of IC dies 100 across IC dies 302, but also in the relative position of being “above” IC dies 302, rather than being “below” them within a package. In many embodiments, IC dies 302 may be coupled to a package substrate 514 (or an interposer) by SLI 516 that can provide additional electrical connectivity between adjacent IC dies 302. Such package substrate 514 may be coupled to IC dies 302 on a side of the IC dies 302 opposite to IC dies 100.
In some embodiments, IC dies 100 may be coupled along surface 604 parallel to surface 104. For example, IC die 100(2) and 100(3) are coupled along common surface 604 orthogonal to respective planar interfaces 108(2) and 108(3) and parallel to surface 104. Metallization stack 102(2) of IC die 100(2) is in direct contact with metallization stack 102(3) and conductively coupled thereto at least by oxide-oxide bonds (not labeled). In some embodiments (not shown) in which surface 604 comprises bond-pads, interconnects 304, comprising metal-metal bonds and oxide-oxide bonds may be present between IC dies 100(2) and 100(3). Substrate 110(2) of IC die 100(1) is in direct contact along surface 702 with substrate 110(3) of IC die 100(2). In some embodiments, substrate 110(2) may be bonded to substrate 110(3) by oxide-oxide or other inorganic dielectric-inorganic dielectric bonds.
As described in reference to
Further, surface 104(1) of IC die 100(1) is coupled to surface 306(1) of IC die 302(1) by interconnects 304. Surface 604 of IC die 100(1) is coupled to surface 1002 of IC die 302(2) by other interconnects 304. Surface 306(2) of IC die 302(2) is coupled to surface 104(2) of IC die 100(2) by yet other interconnects 304. Metallization stack 314(2) of IC die 302(2) may be conductively coupled to interconnects 304 on surface 1002 by TSVs 330 through substrate 316(2) of IC die 302(2). As in other embodiments described in reference to other figures herein, bonding surfaces 104(1) and 104(2) are orthogonal to planar interfaces 108(1) and 108(2) and parallel to surfaces 306(1) and 306(2) and to planar interfaces 320(1) and 320(2). In some embodiments, not all IC dies 100(1) may be coupled to IC die 302(2) by interconnects 304. In such embodiments, IC dies 100(1), for example, IC die 100(1A), not coupled by interconnects 304 to IC die 302(2) may nevertheless be bonded to substrate 316(2) by oxide-oxide bonds (not shown). Power delivery to IC die 302(2) may be through one or more IC dies 100(1).
Note that although only two IC dies 302 are shown stacked in parallel with IC dies 100 between them, any number of IC dies 302 may be stacked as may be permitted by mechanical integrity specifications and other requirements of microelectronic assembly 300 as desired and based on particular needs.
In some embodiments (not shown) the material of dielectric material 1102 disposed above IC die 302(2) may be different from the material disposed below IC die 302(2). For example, an inorganic material may be around IC dies 100(1) and an organic thermally conductive material may be around IC dies 100(2). In some embodiments (not shown) dielectric material 1102 may be present between IC dies 302(1) and 302(2), but not around IC dies 100(2), or vice versa.
In various embodiments, any of the features discussed with reference to any of
Example Methods
Wafer 1404 may comprise a plurality of IC dies 100 (not shown with particularity), each IC die 100 as described in reference to
In some embodiments, interface layer 1414 may comprise metal bond-pads 1416 in a dielectric material 1418, such as silicon oxide. In many embodiments, interface layer 1414 may be sacrificial and destroyed in a subsequent operation. In some embodiments, a layer of attachment material 1406 may be formed on surface 1412 before forming interface layer 1414. Interface layer 1414 may be formed using any known process in the art, including semi-additive processes (SAP). For example, bond-pads 1416 may be deposited first, followed by deposition of dielectric material 1418 around bond-pads 1416. In other embodiments, dielectric material 1418 may be deposited and etched to create vias for forming bond-pads 1416. In some embodiments, bond-pads 14116 may not be formed at all. Interface layer 1414 may further comprise another layer of attachment material 1406. The operations as described may result in formation of a tier 1424, comprising components and materials between attachment material 1406 in contact with carrier wafer 1402 and attachment material 1406 on exposed surface of assembly 1420 opposite to carrier wafer 1402. Tier 1424 comprises thinned wafer 1404, interface layer 1414, and layers of attachment material 1406.
In some embodiments, assembly 1470 may be singulated further so that each stack is as wide and as long as individual IC dies. For example, in a previous operation, as described in reference to
In some embodiments, the stacks may be subjected to planarization of all the cut surfaces such that all four lateral surfaces and corresponding edges of any IC die 100 are planarized, and bond-pads 124 are exposed thereon, for example, as described in reference to
In many embodiments, individual ones of IC die 100 may thereafter be bonded to surfaces 306 of IC dies 302, for example, to generate configurations as described in reference to
Although
Furthermore, the operations illustrated in
Example Devices And Components
The packages disclosed herein, e.g., any of the embodiments shown in
As shown in the figure, package substrate 2252 may be formed of an insulator (e.g., a ceramic, a buildup film, an epoxy film having filler particles therein, etc.), and may have conductive pathways extending through the insulator between first face 2272 and second face 2274, or between different locations on first face 2272, and/or between different locations on second face 2274. These conductive pathways may take the form of any of the interconnect structures comprising lines and/or vias.
Package substrate 2252 may include conductive contacts 2263 that are coupled to conductive pathway 2262 through package substrate 2252, allowing circuitry within dies 2256 and/or interposer 2257 to electrically couple to various ones of conductive contacts 2264 (or to other devices included in package substrate 2252, not shown).
IC package 2200 may include interposer 2257 coupled to package substrate 2252 via conductive contacts 2261 of interposer 2257, first-level interconnects 2265, and conductive contacts 2263 of package substrate 2252. First-level interconnects 2265 illustrated in the figure are solder bumps, but any suitable first-level interconnects 2265 may be used, such as solder bumps, solder posts, or bond wires.
IC package 2200 may include one or more dies 2256 coupled to interposer 2257 via conductive contacts 2254 of dies 2256, first-level interconnects 2258, and conductive contacts 2260 of interposer 2257. Conductive contacts 2260 may be coupled to conductive pathways (not shown) through interposer 2257, allowing circuitry within dies 2256 to electrically couple to various ones of conductive contacts 2261 (or to other devices included in interposer 2257, not shown). First-level interconnects 2258 illustrated in the figure are solder bumps, but any suitable first-level interconnects 2258 may be used, such as solder bumps, solder posts, or bond wires. As used herein, a “conductive contact” may refer to a portion of electrically conductive material (e.g., metal) serving as an interface between different components; conductive contacts may be recessed in, flush with, or extending away from a surface of a component, and may take any suitable form (e.g., a conductive pad or socket).
In some embodiments, underfill material 2266 may be disposed between package substrate 2252 and interposer 2257 around first-level interconnects 2265, and mold 2268 may be disposed around dies 2256 and interposer 2257 and in contact with package substrate 2252. In some embodiments, underfill material 2266 may be the same as mold 2268. Example materials that may be used for underfill material 2266 and mold 2268 are epoxies as suitable. Second-level interconnects 2270 may be coupled to conductive contacts 2264. Second-level interconnects 2270 illustrated in the figure are solder balls (e.g., for a ball grid array (BGA) arrangement), but any suitable second-level interconnects 2270 may be used (e.g., pins in a pin grid array arrangement or lands in a land grid array arrangement). Second-level interconnects 2270 may be used to couple IC package 2200 to another component, such as a circuit board (e.g., a motherboard), an interposer, or another IC package, as known in the art and as discussed below with reference to
In various embodiments, any of dies 2256 may be microelectronic assembly 300 as described herein. In embodiments in which IC package 2200 includes multiple dies 2256, IC package 2200 may be referred to as a multi-chip package (MCP). Dies 2256 may include circuitry to perform any desired functionality. For example, besides one or more of dies 2256 being microelectronic assembly 300 as described herein, one or more of dies 2256 may be logic dies (e.g., silicon-based dies), one or more of dies 2256 may be memory dies (e.g., HBM), etc. In some embodiments, any of dies 2256 may be implemented as discussed with reference to any of the previous figures. In some embodiments, at least some of dies 2256 may not include implementations as described herein.
Although IC package 2200 illustrated in the figure is a flip-chip package, other package architectures may be used. For example, IC package 2200 may be a BGA package, such as an embedded wafer-level ball grid array (eWLB) package. In another example, IC package 2200 may be a wafer-level chip scale package (WLCSP) or a panel fan-out (FO) package. Although two dies 2256 are illustrated in IC package 2200, IC package 2200 may include any desired number of dies 2256. IC package 2200 may include additional passive components, such as surface-mount resistors, capacitors, and inductors disposed over first face 2272 or second face 2274 of package substrate 2252, or on either face of interposer 2257. More generally, IC package 2200 may include any other active or passive components known in the art.
In some embodiments, no interposer 2257 may be included in IC package 2200; instead, dies 2256 may be coupled directly to conductive contacts 2263 at first face 2272 by first-level interconnects 2265.
In some embodiments, circuit board 2302 may be a PCB including multiple metal layers separated from one another by layers of insulator and interconnected by electrically conductive vias. Any one or more of the metal layers may be formed in a desired circuit pattern to route electrical signals (optionally in conjunction with other metal layers) between the components coupled to circuit board 2302. In other embodiments, circuit board 2302 may be a non-PCB package substrate.
As illustrated in the figure, in some embodiments, IC device assembly 2300 may include a package-on-interposer structure 2336 coupled to first face 2340 of circuit board 2302 by coupling components 2316. Coupling components 2316 may electrically and mechanically couple package-on-interposer structure 2336 to circuit board 2302, and may include solder balls (as shown), male and female portions of a socket, an adhesive, an underfill material, and/or any other suitable electrical and/or mechanical coupling structure.
Package-on-interposer structure 2336 may include IC package 2320 coupled to interposer 2304 by coupling components 2318. Coupling components 2318 may take any suitable form depending on desired functionalities, such as the forms discussed above with reference to coupling components 2316. In some embodiments, IC package 2320 may be or include IC package 2200, e.g., as described above with reference to
Although a single IC package 2320 is shown in the figure, multiple IC packages may be coupled to interposer 2304; indeed, additional interposers may be coupled to interposer 2304. Interposer 2304 may provide an intervening package substrate used to bridge circuit board 2302 and IC package 2320. Generally, interposer 2304 may redistribute a connection to a wider pitch or reroute a connection to a different connection. For example, interposer 2304 may couple IC package 2320 to a BGA of coupling components 2316 for coupling to circuit board 2302.
In the embodiment illustrated in the figure, IC package 2320 and circuit board 2302 are attached to opposing sides of interposer 2304. In other embodiments, IC package 2320 and circuit board 2302 may be attached to a same side of interposer 2304. In some embodiments, three or more components may be interconnected by way of interposer 2304.
Interposer 2304 may be formed of an epoxy resin, a fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin, a ceramic material, or a polymer material such as polyimide. In some implementations, interposer 2304 may be formed of alternate rigid or flexible materials that may include the same materials described above for use in a semiconductor substrate, such as silicon, germanium, and other group III-V and group IV materials. Interposer 2304 may include metal interconnects 2308 and vias 2310, including but not limited to TSVs 2306. Interposer 2304 may further include embedded devices 2314, including both passive and active devices. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, capacitors, decoupling capacitors, resistors, inductors, fuses, diodes, transformers, sensors, ESD devices, and memory devices. More complex devices such as radio frequency (RF) devices, power amplifiers, power management devices, antennas, arrays, sensors, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices may also be formed on interposer 2304. Package-on-interposer structure 2336 may take the form of any of the package-on-interposer structures known in the art.
In some embodiments, IC device assembly 2300 may include an IC package 2324 coupled to first face 2340 of circuit board 2302 by coupling components 2322. Coupling components 2322 may take the form of any of the embodiments discussed above with reference to coupling components 2316, and IC package 2324 may take the form of any of the embodiments discussed above with reference to IC package 2320.
In some embodiments, IC device assembly 2300 may include a package-on-package structure 2334 coupled to second face 2342 of circuit board 2302 by coupling components 2328. Package-on-package structure 2334 may include an IC package 2326 and an IC package 2332 coupled together by coupling components 2330 such that IC package 2326 is disposed between circuit board 2302 and IC package 2332. Coupling components 2328 and 2330 may take the form of any of the embodiments of coupling components 2316 discussed above, and IC packages 2326 and/or 2332 may take the form of any of the embodiments of IC package 2320 discussed above. Package-on-package structure 2334 may be configured in accordance with any of the package-on-package structures known in the art.
A number of components are illustrated in the figure as included in computing device 2400, but any one or more of these components may be omitted or duplicated, as suitable for the application. In some embodiments, some or all of the components included in computing device 2400 may be attached to one or more motherboards. In some embodiments, some or all of these components are fabricated onto a single system-on-chip (SOC) die.
Additionally, in various embodiments, computing device 2400 may not include one or more of the components illustrated in the figure, but computing device 2400 may include interface circuitry for coupling to the one or more components. For example, computing device 2400 may not include a display device 2406, but may include display device interface circuitry (e.g., a connector and driver circuitry) to which display device 2406 may be coupled. In another set of examples, computing device 2400 may not include an audio input device 2418 or an audio output device 2408, but may include audio input or output device interface circuitry (e.g., connectors and supporting circuitry) to which audio input device 2418 or audio output device 2408 may be coupled.
Computing device 2400 may include a processing device 2402 (e.g., one or more processing devices). As used herein, the term “processing device” or “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory. Processing device 2402 may include one or more DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, GPUs, cryptoprocessors (specialized processors that execute cryptographic algorithms within hardware), server processors, or any other suitable processing devices. Computing device 2400 may include a memory 2404, which may itself include one or more memory devices such as volatile memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, solid-state memory, and/or a hard drive. In some embodiments, memory 2404 may include memory that shares a die with processing device 2402. This memory may be used as cache memory and may include embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) or spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM).
In some embodiments, computing device 2400 may include a communication chip 2412 (e.g., one or more communication chips). For example, communication chip 2412 may be configured for managing wireless communications for the transfer of data to and from computing device 2400. The term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a nonsolid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not.
Communication chip 2412 may implement any of a number of wireless standards or protocols, including but not limited to Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standards including Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), IEEE 802.16 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.16-2005 Amendment), LTE project along with any amendments, updates, and/or revisions (e.g., advanced LTE project, ultramobile broadband (UMB) project (also referred to as “3GPP2”), etc.). IEEE 802.16 compatible Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) networks are generally referred to as WiMAX networks, an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, which is a certification mark for products that pass conformity and interoperability tests for the IEEE 802.16 standards. The communication chip 2412 may operate in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved HSPA (E-HSPA), or LTE network. The communication chip 2412 may operate in accordance with Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), or Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). Communication chip 2412 may operate in accordance with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), and derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. Communication chip 2412 may operate in accordance with other wireless protocols in other embodiments. Computing device 2400 may include an antenna 2422 to facilitate wireless communications and/or to receive other wireless communications (such as AM or FM radio transmissions).
In some embodiments, communication chip 2412 may manage wired communications, such as electrical, optical, or any other suitable communication protocols (e.g., the Ethernet). As noted above, communication chip 2412 may include multiple communication chips. For instance, a first communication chip 2412 may be dedicated to shorter-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and a second communication chip 2412 may be dedicated to longer-range wireless communications such as global positioning system (GPS), EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, EV-DO, or others. In some embodiments, a first communication chip 2412 may be dedicated to wireless communications, and a second communication chip 2412 may be dedicated to wired communications.
Computing device 2400 may include battery/power circuitry 2414. Battery/power circuitry 2414 may include one or more energy storage devices (e.g., batteries or capacitors) and/or circuitry for coupling components of computing device 2400 to an energy source separate from computing device 2400 (e.g., AC line power).
Computing device 2400 may include a display device 2406 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). Display device 2406 may include any visual indicators, such as a heads-up display, a computer monitor, a projector, a touchscreen display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode display, or a flat panel display, for example.
Computing device 2400 may include audio output device 2408 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). Audio output device 2408 may include any device that generates an audible indicator, such as speakers, headsets, or earbuds, for example.
Computing device 2400 may include audio input device 2418 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). Audio input device 2418 may include any device that generates a signal representative of a sound, such as microphones, microphone arrays, or digital instruments (e.g., instruments having a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) output).
Computing device 2400 may include a GPS device 2416 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). GPS device 2416 may be in communication with a satellite-based system and may receive a location of computing device 2400, as known in the art.
Computing device 2400 may include other output device 2410 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). Examples of other output device 2410 may include an audio codec, a video codec, a printer, a wired or wireless transmitter for providing information to other devices, or an additional storage device.
Computing device 2400 may include other input device 2420 (or corresponding interface circuitry, as discussed above). Examples of other input device 2420 may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, an image capture device, a keyboard, a cursor control device such as a mouse, a stylus, a touchpad, a bar code reader, a Quick Response (QR) code reader, any sensor, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader.
Computing device 2400 may have any desired form factor, such as a handheld or mobile computing device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a mobile internet device, a music player, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, an ultrabook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultramobile personal computer, etc.), a desktop computing device, a server or other networked computing component, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a vehicle control unit, a digital camera, a digital video recorder, or a wearable computing device. In some embodiments, computing device 2400 may be any other electronic device that processes data.
Select Examples
The following paragraphs provide various examples of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Example 1 provides an IC die (e.g., 100), comprising (e.g.,
Example 2 provides the IC die of example 1, in which the second region comprises a semiconductor material.
Example 3 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-2, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 4 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-3, in which the second region comprises at least one of a transistor and a diode (e.g., 204) proximate to the planar interface between the first region and the second region.
Example 5 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-3, in which the second region does not comprise any transistors or diodes.
Example 6 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-5, in which the first surface is flat and planar with surface roughness less than 10 Angstroms and TTV across the first surface of less than 3 micrometers.
Example 7 provides the IC die of example 6, in which a surface opposite to the first surface and orthogonal to the second surface, is flat and planar with surface roughness less than 10 Angstroms and TTV across the first surface of less than 3 micrometers.
Example 8 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-7, in which the bond-pads have different sizes (e.g., 124A, 1248).
Example 9 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-8, in which (e.g.,
Example 10 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-9, in which the plurality of layers of conductive traces comprises between 2 layers and 6 layers.
Example 11 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-10, in which each layer in the plurality of layers of conductive traces is between 3 micrometers and 5 micrometers thick.
Example 12 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-11, in which: a linear dimension of a largest one of the bond-pads is less than 5 micrometers, and a pitch between adjacent bond-pads is less than 9 micrometers.
Example 13 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-12, in which: the IC die is less than 100 micrometers along a first axis, less than 35 millimeters along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and less than 5 millimeters along a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, and the first axis is parallel to the first surface and perpendicular to the second surface.
Example 14 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-13, in which the dielectric material comprises a compound including silicon and oxygen.
Example 15 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-14, in which the bond-pads comprise copper.
Example 16 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-15, in which edges of the first surface and the second surface are planarized.
Example 17 provides the IC die of any one of examples 1-16, in which the first region further comprises (e.g.,
Example 18 provides the IC die of example 17, in which the first surface, the second surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface and the sixth surface are flat and planar with surface roughness less than 10 Angstroms and TTV less than 3 micrometers.
Example 19 provides the IC die of any one of examples 17-18, in which the bond-pads on any one of the first surface, the second surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface and the sixth surface are of different sizes and pitches.
Example 20 provides the IC die of any one of examples 17-18, in which bond-pads on the second surface are of uniform size, and sizes of the bond-pads on the first surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface and the sixth surface increase with proximity to the second surface.
Example 21 provides a microelectronic assembly (e.g., 300), comprising (e.g.,
Example 22 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 21, in which (e.g.,
Example 23 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-22, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 24 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 23, in which the another dielectric material comprises an organic polymer with thermally conductive fillers.
Example 25 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-24, in which the substrate of the first IC die is in contact with the second surface of the second IC die.
Example 26 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-25, in which the substrate of the first IC die comprises at least one of a transistor and a diode.
Example 27 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-26, in which the first bond-pads comprise portions of the conductive traces exposed on the first surface.
Example 28 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-27, in which the interconnects have a pitch of less than 10 micrometers between adjacent interconnects.
Example 29 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-28, in which (e.g.,
Example 30 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 29, in which the dielectric-dielectric bonds comprise the first dielectric material of the first IC die and the second dielectric material of the second IC die.
Example 31 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 29-30, in which the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material comprise a compound including silicon and oxygen.
Example 32 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 29-31, in which the second substrate comprises at least one of a transistor and a diode.
Example 33 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 29-31, in which the second substrate does not comprise any transistor or diode.
Example 34 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-33, in which (e.g.,
Example 35 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 34, in which the second IC die further comprises TSVs (e.g., 330) in the second substrate between the interface layer and the second metallization stack.
Example 36 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 35, in which the TSVs conductively couple the second bond-pads with the second conductive traces in the second metallization stack.
Example 37 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 21, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 38 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 37, in which (e.g.,
Example 39 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 38, in which the at least two first IC dies are further bonded by metal-metal bonds along the second planar interface.
Example 40 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 39, in which: the respective metallization stack of one of the at least two first IC dies is in contact with the respective substrate of the other one of the at least two first IC dies along the second planar interface, the respective substrate of the other one of the at least two first IC dies comprises TSVs (e.g., 202), and the TSVs are in conductive contact with the metal-metal bonds along the second planar interface.
Example 41 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 39, in which: the respective metallization stack of one of the at least two first IC dies is in contact with the respective metallization stack of the other one of the at least two first IC dies along the second planar interface, and the respective conductive traces in the at least two IC dies are in conductive contact through the metal-metal bonds along the second planar interface.
Example 42 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 38, in which: the respective substrate of one of the at least two first IC dies is in contact with the respective substrate of the other one of the at least two first IC dies along the second planar interface.
Example 43 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 37-42, in which (e.g.,
Example 44 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 37-42, in which (e.g.,
Example 45 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 44, in which the gap is uniform across the microelectronic assembly.
Example 46 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 44, in which the gap is non-uniform across the microelectronic assembly with some of the first IC dies being closer together than others of the first IC dies.
Example 47 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 44-46, in which the gap is configured for flow of a cooling fluid through the gap.
Example 48 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 47, in which the cooling fluid is air.
Example 49 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 47, in which the cooling fluid is a liquid coolant.
Example 50 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 47-49, in which the plurality of first IC dies comprise circuitry configured to consume electrical power and generate heat during operation.
Example 51 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 21-50, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 52 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 37-51, in which (e.g.,
Example 53 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 52, in which the metallization stack of any one of the first IC dies in any one row or column of the array is proximate to the substrate of an adjacent one of the first IC dies in the same row or column.
Example 54 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 52, in which either the metallization stack or the substrate of adjacent first IC dies in any one row or column of the array face each other.
Example 55 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 37-54, in which the first IC dies are conductively coupled by conductive pathways in the second IC die.
Example 56 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 21, in which (e.g.,
Example 57 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 56, in which the second interconnects and the third interconnects comprise dielectric-dielectric bonds.
Example 58 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 57, in which the second interconnects and the third interconnects further comprise metal-metal bonds.
Example 59 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 58, in which the metal-metal bonds of the second interconnects comprise portions of the conductive traces in the metallization stack of the first IC die that are exposed at the third surface.
Example 60 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 56-59, in which the third IC die further comprises TSVs (e.g., 330) through the respective substrate of the third IC die.
Example 61 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 56-60, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 62 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 56-61, in which: the first IC dies in the first plurality of the first IC dies are mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other, and the fourth IC dies in the second plurality of the fourth IC dies are mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other.
Example 63 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 62, further comprising (e.g.,
Example 64 provides a microelectronic assembly (e.g.,
Example 65 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 64, in which: the second IC die is coupled to the first IC die on the surface by metal-metal bonds and dielectric-dielectric bonds (e.g., 104) the metal-metal bonds comprise portions of the respective conductive traces of the first IC die and the second IC die.
Example 66 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 64, in which the second IC die is coupled to the first IC die on the surface by dielectric-dielectric bonds (e.g., 604).
Example 67 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 64-66, in which (e.g.,
Example 68 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 67, in which the third IC die comprises a respective substrate (e.g., 318) attached to a respective metallization stack (e.g., 314) along a third planar interface (e.g., 320) parallel to the first surface and the second surface.
Example 69 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 67-68 (e.g.,
Example 70 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 67, in which (e.g.,
Example 71 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 70, in which (e.g.,
Example 72 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 71, in which (e.g.,
Example 73 provides a method of fabricating an IC die with planarized edges, comprising (e.g.,
Example 74 provides the method of example 73, in which the interface layer further comprises metal bond-pads (e.g., 1416).
Example 75 provides the method of any one of examples 73-74, in which: the stacks are first stacks, each first stack is as wide as any one IC die, each first stack is longer than any one IC die, and the method further comprises, after planarizing the continuous horizontal surface, singulating the first stacks into second stacks, each second stack being as long as any one IC die.
Example 76 provides the method of any one of examples 73-75, in which providing the first carrier with the wafer bonded thereto comprises: forming a layer (e.g., 1406) comprising silicon and oxygen on the first carrier; and bonding the wafer to the layer comprising silicon and oxygen.
Example 77 provides the method of any one of examples 73-76, further comprising, before forming the interface layer, planarizing the surface of the wafer opposite to the carrier.
Example 78 provides the method of example 77, in which at least one wafer has thickness ranging between 700 micrometers and 800 micrometers before planarizing, and between 50 micrometers and 100 micrometers after planarizing.
Example 79 provides the method of any one of examples 77-78, in which at least one of the IC dies comprises TSVs through the respective substrate, and the planarizing is performed until a surface of the TSVs is exposed on the wafer.
Example 80 provides the method of any one of examples 73-79, in which: the dielectric material comprises an organic polymer, and removing the dielectric material comprises etching with a cleansing agent.
Example 81 provides the method of any one of examples 73-80, in which separating IC dies from each stack comprises: releasing the wafers from the first carrier and the second carrier, and debonding each IC die from the interface layers between wafers by CMP of each interface layer.
Example 82 provides the method of any one of examples 73-81, in which the wafers are not conductively connected to each other.
Example 83 provides the method of any one of examples 73-82, in which a subset of the interface layers comprises metal bond-pads such that wafers adjacent to the subset of the interface layers are conductively connected to each other by the metal bond-pads.
Example 84 provides the method of any one of examples 73-83, in which a number of wafers in each stack ranges between 5 and 10.
Example 85 provides the method of any one of examples 73-84, in which planarizing the continuous horizontal surface comprises CMP.
Example 86 provides the method of any one of examples 73-85, in which any one IC die is not more than 5 millimeters wide and not more than 35 millimeters long.
Example 87 provides a microelectronic assembly, comprising (e.g., 300,
Example 88 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 87, in which: the second IC dies are spaced apart, and the microelectronic assembly further comprises another dielectric material (e.g., 510) between adjacent ones of the second IC dies.
Example 89 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 88, in which the another dielectric material comprises a compound of silicon and at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon.
Example 90 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 88, in which the another dielectric material comprises an organic polymer.
Example 91 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-90, in which the second IC dies are approximately 26 millimeters wide and 33 millimeters long, and the first IC dies extend at least 5 millimeters into the second IC dies as measured from respective edges of the second IC dies.
Example 92 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-91, in which respective footprints of the second IC dies are not more than 850 square millimeters.
Example 93 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-92, in which the first IC die extends into the second IC dies beyond respective saw-streets of the second IC dies.
Example 94 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-93, in which: the substrate is a first substrate, and the metallization stack is a first metallization stack, the second IC dies comprise respective second metallization stacks and second substrates, the second substrates are attached to the second metallization stacks along respective planar interfaces that are parallel to the second surface, and the second metallization stacks comprise conductive traces coupled by conductive vias to the second bond-pads.
Example 95 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 94, in which a conductive pathway (e.g., 512) comprises conductive traces in respective second metallization stacks of the second IC die, conductive traces in the first metallization stack of the first IC die, and the interconnects.
Example 96 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 95, in which the conductive pathway further comprises active circuitry (e.g., 204) in the first IC die.
Example 97 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 95-96, in which a plurality of the conductive pathways is provided in the first IC die between the two second IC dies.
Example 98 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-97, further comprising a package substrate coupled to the second IC dies on a side of the second IC dies opposite to the first IC die.
Example 99 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-98, further comprising: a first plurality of the first IC dies; and a second plurality of the second IC dies, in which: each of the first IC dies couple at least two of the second IC dies, and respective planar interfaces between respective substrates and metallization stacks of each of the first IC dies are orthogonal to surfaces of the second IC dies to which the first IC dies are coupled.
Example 100 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 99, in which: the second plurality of second IC dies is arranged in an array of rows and columns, and the first plurality of first IC dies is arranged in rows or columns between any two adjacent interfaces of the second IC dies.
Example 101 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 100, in which the first IC dies are spaced apart by a gap configured for flow of a cooling fluid.
Example 102 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 100, in which the first IC dies are spaced apart by a gap of less than 2 millimeters.
Example 103 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-102, in which the plurality of layers of conductive traces in each of the first IC dies includes at least 5 layers.
Example 104 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-103, in which the bond-pads have a pitch of less than 10 micrometers between adjacent bond-pads.
Example 105 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-104, in which the first IC die is approximately 100 micrometers thick such that a contact area between the first IC die and the second IC dies is less than 100 micrometers by 33 millimeters.
Example 106 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 87-104, in which the first IC die is approximately 100 micrometers thick such that a contact area between the first IC die and the second IC dies is less than 100 micrometers by 26 millimeters.
Example 107 provides a microelectronic assembly, comprising: a plurality of first IC dies (e.g., 100), each of the first IC dies comprising two different regions (e.g., 102, 110) attached along a first planar interface (e.g., 108); at least two second IC dies (e.g., 302), each of the second IC dies comprising two different regions (e.g., 314, 316) attached along a second planar interface (e.g., 320); and a package substrate (e.g., 514) coupled to the second IC dies on a side of the second IC dies opposite to the first IC dies, in which: each of the first IC dies is attached to the second IC dies along a surface of the first IC die that is orthogonal to the first planar interface and parallel to the second planar interface, each of the first IC dies is attached to the second IC dies by metal-metal bonds and dielectric-dielectric bonds on the surface.
Example 108 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 107, in which one of the two different regions in the first IC die and the second IC dies comprises conductive traces parallel to the first planar interface, and the second planar interfaces respectively.
Example 109 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 108, in which: the conductive traces are arranged in a plurality of layers of ILD material, and conductive vias through the layers of ILD material conductively couple conductive traces in different layers.
Example 110 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 108-109, in which the metal-metal bonds comprise: portions of the conductive traces in the first IC dies exposed on the surface of the first IC dies; and bond-pads coupled to the conductive traces in the second IC dies.
Example 111 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 108-110, further comprising conductive pathways between the second IC dies through the first IC dies.
Example 112 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 111, in which the conductive pathways number approximately 200,000.
Example 113 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 107-112, in which the first IC dies in the plurality of first IC dies are arranged in rows spanning adjoining surfaces of adjacent second IC dies.
Example 114 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 107-113, further comprising another plurality of the second IC dies, in which some of the first IC dies in the plurality of first IC dies are orthogonal to others of the first IC dies in the plurality of first IC dies corresponding to mutually orthogonal surfaces of the second IC dies that are spanned by the respective first IC dies.
Example 115 provides the microelectronic assembly of example 114, in which a dielectric material fills any space between adjacent ones of the second IC dies.
Example 116 provides the microelectronic assembly of any one of examples 107-115, in which the second IC dies are conductively coupled to the package substrate by second-level interconnects.
Example 117 provides a method of fabricating an IC die with planarized edges, comprising: providing a first carrier with a wafer bonded thereto, the wafer comprising a plurality of IC dies fabricated thereon, each IC die comprising a substrate attached to a metallization stack along a planar interface, the metallization stack comprising conductive traces parallel to the planar interface, each IC die being as wide and as long as any other IC die in the wafer; forming an interface layer on the surface of the wafer opposite to the first carrier, the interface layer comprising a material including silicon and oxygen; attaching another wafer to the interface layer; repeating forming the interface layer and attaching another wafer until a desired height is obtained over the first carrier; attaching a second carrier on a surface of the topmost wafer opposite to the first carrier; singulating vertically to form a plurality of stacks along surfaces of the IC dies configured to have bond-pads, the surfaces configured to have bond-pads being orthogonal to interfaces between adjacent wafers in the stack, such that each stack is as wide or as long as any one IC die; rotating each stack by ninety degrees such that the first carrier and the second carrier are oriented vertically and the interfaces between adjacent wafers are vertical; attaching the plurality of the stacks to a horizontal bonding surface of a third carrier such that the interfaces between adjacent wafers are orthogonal to the bonding surface of the third carrier; depositing a dielectric material around the plurality of stacks over the bonding surface of the third carrier such that a continuous horizontal surface is exposed opposite to the third carrier; planarizing the continuous horizontal surface to expose bond-pads of the IC dies in the wafer, each bond-pad comprising a portion of respective conductive traces; separating IC dies from each stack; and coupling the IC dies to at least two other IC dies, each of the IC die spanning adjoining surfaces of the two other IC dies such that the planarized surfaces of the IC dies are bonded to the two other IC dies and the planar interface between the substrate and the metallization stack of each IC die is orthogonal to the planarized surfaces.
Example 118 provides the method of example 117, further comprising: before forming the interface layer, positioning the first carrier with the wafer horizontally such that the first carrier is beneath the wafer and a surface of the wafer opposite to the first carrier is facing upwards.
Example 119 provides the method of any one of examples 117-118, further comprising: after planarizing the continuous horizontal surface and before separating IC dies from each stack, removing the dielectric material.
Example 120 provides the method of any one of examples 117-119, further comprising laterally coupling the two other IC dies with a dielectric material before the IC dies are bonded thereto.
Example 121 provides the method of any one of examples 117-120, in which the IC dies form a row spanning across adjoining surfaces of the two other IC dies.
Example 122 provides the method of any one of examples 117-121, in which the IC dies are coupled to the two other IC dies so as to extend into respective medial regions of the two other IC dies.
Example 123 provides the method of any one of examples 117-122, further comprising coupling the IC dies to a plurality of the other IC dies.
The above description of illustrated implementations of the disclosure, including what is described in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. While specific implementations of, and examples for, the disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
